Term 2 concludes at 2:30pm, Friday 20th September 2024

Note the early finish time of school for all students on the last day of term.

Country buses run to an earlier timetable.

Students who use the town bus system should check the timetable for the route that they use.

Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and the wider St. Joseph’s Primary School Community,

Student Leaders Congress

Last Wednesday Billy Main, Rhiana Gibbons, Sibella Evans and Isaac Brown presented our project at the Student Leaders Congress at the Lighthouse Theatre. They were joined by 20 other groups of school leaders from around the district who had also taken on a challenge to improve their communities.

Our team set up the bottle recycling scheme at St Josephs PS to raise money and protect our environment.

A part of the presentation was for the team to produce a 2 minute video to share their story.

State Netball Finals

Good luck to our netball team who are competing in the State Finals this Wednesday in Melbourne.  It is a wonderful achievement to make it to this high level and we all wish the team and Mrs Grant all the best for their big day GO TEAM!

Catholic National Parents Survey

Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) is running a parent survey in partnership with the University of New England on Student Wellbeing and Learning and are seeking your perspective as parents/carers of children who attend a Catholic School in Australia.

You are invited to share your views on existing and emerging affirmations and/or challenges in relation to your child/children’s wellbeing and learning.

The survey is anonymous, confidential, and completely voluntary.   

For more information about the study and to participate:

For more information about the study and to participate: https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d5a7NXLpTKbNAtE

Happy Holidays

Congratulations to all of the children and staff for another wonderful term at St Josephs. I hope that everyone has a safe and relaxing break.

Matthew O'Brien, Principal

Happy Birthday to children celebrating their birthday during the holidays.

Braxton Ciurleo, Alexis Harris, Van Walsh, Harry Kerr, Marley Welch, Patrick Cumming, Lucy Houston, Connor MacDougall, Georgia Perry, Liam Smock, Catherine Fitzgerald, Siena Keramaris, Saina Maria Manjaly Tony, Nate Deverall, Harry Leach, Archie McDonald and Jessica Yu.

In Week 2 of Term 4 we will be asking students to write four "good fit working partners" for 2025 classroom placements.

We ask that parents start having conversations with their child/ren regarding who these partners may be.

Be mindful that a "good fit working partner" does not always mean their best friend. 

This year we will celebrate Grandparents Day at St Joseph's
on the morning of Thursday 24th October.

9:30am - 10:30am
Classroom Visits

10:30am - 11:00am
Performance by Year 2 drama and music classes

11:00am - 11:30am
Morning tea in the Hall

Warrnambool City Council have advised that the school the No Standing Zones on Queens Road may be inforced with a $395 fine.

The incidence of Whooping cough cases is continuing to increase across Victoria, particularly among school-aged children.

Whooping cough is a very contagious infection, mostly spread through coughing or sneezing. 

Symptoms include:

 blocked or runny nose

• tiredness
• mild fever
• severe bouts of coughing, often followed by a ‘whooping’ sound on breathing.
• Whooping cough can lead to life-threatening infections in babies.

If your child is unwell, they should not attend school. Please see a doctor if you or your child develops whooping cough symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the spread of the infection.

Students diagnosed with whooping cough must not attend school

If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, they must not attend school for 21 days after the onset of the cough, or until they have received 5 days of antibiotic treatment.

You must notify the school if your child is diagnosed with whooping cough.

To further reduce the spread of infection to your child and the school community, the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 require that some students who were in the same classroom as a student diagnosed with whooping cough should not attend school.

Your child should not attend school for 14 days after they were last exposed to a person diagnosed with whooping cough, or until they have taken 5 days of a course of antibiotic treatment if they are:

• aged less than 7 years; and
• not fully vaccinated with 3 doses of whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine.

This exclusion is required by law – refer to the School exclusion table for primary schools and children’s services.

If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, please contact the school to let us know.

Your support in keeping our students safe and well is greatly appreciated.

For more information about whooping cough, refer to Whooping cough on the Better Health Channel.

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. The Department of Health recommends staying up to date with immunisations, including booster doses. A free booster dose of the pertussis vaccine is covered under the national immunisation program for students aged 12 to 13. If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status for whooping cough, please discuss with an immunisation provider, such as your doctor.

The PSA will be running their annual fundraiser to raise additional funds for the Art Department.

This year your child's artwork will be available on Ribbon and Clay.

Ribbon and Clay

Orders are now open via CDFPay at a cost of $18.00 and close at 3pm on Tuesday 15th October.

Orders will be delivered in plenty of time to use these items as Christmas presents.

Note: Our Art teachers will endeavour to ensure your child has completed the necessary artwork. However, if your child has been absent for an extended period of time for holidays or sickness they may not have completed their artwork.

We are cleaning out our storage sheds... and selling items that take up a lot of space.  This includes our Bae Maries.  Number 3 is  a cold bae marie, that uses ice only and does not need power.  Number 4 has a 15 amp plug.

Please contact Cathy Duynhoven to make an offer for any of these items.

School Canteen Support